A belated Happy New Year! I don't know about you but as much as I enjoy the holidays, I tend to overdo things and exhaust myself. It takes me awhile to get back on track and into the groove again. Can you relate? So it's now with a sigh of relief, time to welcome winter and officially grant myself permission to slow down. Wanna join me? I didn't always feel this way about winter or slowing down. I used to have such judgement and resistance when it came to anything about winter. Heck when I was in my twenties, I even went to school in Florida and moved to sunny southern California because I wanted summer year round. But after awhile I missed the seasons.

It's taken me awhile but winter has really grown on me. Gray skies and all. Surrendering to the mood, beauty and stillness has been deeply healing. I'm three years into my adrenal exhaustion recovery and slowing down sometimes has been the best healer and medicine.

Nature is the great healer as well. Early this morning, there were birds singing in the bare trees outside in the freezing cold. Singing at sunrise to remind us Life is beautiful and All is Well.

Angeles Arrien says it best here..."In order to achieve this meaningful, peaceful life, we need to turn to natures rhythm which is naturally medium to slow."

On that note, I'm moving out of the fast lane for awhile...shifting into the slow lane for a bit. Not stopping altogether, just cruising medium to slow. Permission granted if you're craving peace and quiet. It's natural to feel the pull to hibernate, rest, slow down. After all, don't forget we are creatures of nature.